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Greater Wellington
COVID-19 Hub

Everyone in in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 5 and over can get their free COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccination is still the most effective tool we have to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19. It helps protect you from getting the virus, or from getting very sick if you do catch it.

You can get COVID-19 more than once. So even if you've already had it and recovered, it's still important to get the doses you are eligible for. 

  • Anyone aged 12 and over is eligible for two doses at least 3 weeks apart.
  • Anyone aged 5-11 years old is eligible for two doses at least 8 weeks apart.

Recently, vaccination requirements for children turning 12 years old were updated. If a child turns 12 years old before their second dose, they will receive the adult dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

An 8-week gap is recommended between the paediatric and adult doses. This change only affects those who turn 12 between receiving their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Children under 12 are still only eligible for paediatric doses.

For more information click here

  • Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for a booster dose at least 3 months after their second dose.
  • Anyone aged 16 or 17 is eligible for a booster dose at least 6 months after their second dose.
  • Anyone who has had COVID-19 before they were vaccinated should wait 3 months after they tested positive before getting their next dose.
  • If you are immunocompromised there are different recommendations in place

Vaccinations are available at clinics, GPs and pharmacies throughout our region. Find a clinic that accepts walk-ins or book through Book My Vaccine.

Vaccination after COVID-19 - wait 3 months

1 March 2023 - bivalent vaccine replaces the existing Pfizer booster.

The new Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is now available to New Zealanders as a booster dose for those eligible. Staying up to date with your recommended COVID-19 vaccinations will help to ensure you are protected ahead of winter.

The newer booster is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron subvariants than earlier vaccines. However, If you’ve recently had a booster, this still provides you good protection against COVID-19.

If you're not sure if you're due a first or second booster, you can check your eligibility using a handy tool here on the Unite against COVID-19 website. 

If you are eligible for a booster, you can book:
📞By calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).

From 1 March 2023, a new Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine will be available to New Zealanders as a booster dose.

From 1 April 2023 - eligibility expanded for additional boosters

From 1 April 2023, an additional booster dose will be made available to:

  • anyone aged 30 and over who has completed their primary course (2 doses) as long as it has been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
  • anyone at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who has completed their primary course (2 doses), as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.

Anyone aged 16 to 29 who are not at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, are not eligible for an additional dose. The two-dose primary course and first booster dose provides very good protection from the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.    

From 1 April 2023, the additional booster dose can only be given to eligible people whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or positive COVID-19 test was at least 6 months ago. It does not matter how many previous doses that person has had.

Read more on the Ministry of Health website, including commonly asked questions.

Book your vaccination

Book online to make sure you can get vaccinated at your preferred time and place.

Where to get vaccinated

Find your closest vaccination site.

About the vaccine

Get the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine, how it was developed and how it helps protect us against the virus.

Booster vaccinations

Getting your booster will give you and your whānau greater protection from COVID-19, including Omicron.

Rangatahi aged 16 and 17 can get a COVID-19 booster of the Pfizer vaccine if it's been 6 months after completing their primary course. 

Anyone aged 18 or over can get a booster if it’s been three months (93 days) since your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Second COVID-19 Booster

Note: This is information is correct for the period to 31 March 2023 and will be updated 1 April 2023.

A second booster is recommended for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 – a minimum of 6 months after a first booster. 

A second COVID-19 booster is available for:

  • everyone over the age of 50 and recommended for anyone over the age of 65
  • Māori and Pacific Peoples older than 40 years (from Friday 18 November 2022)
  • people who are severely immunocompromised
  • residents of aged care and disability care facilities
  • health, aged-care and disability workers over the age of 30

Other people recommended to receive a second booster as a priority:

  • people aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness and
  • people aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.
  • See Clinical criteria in support of second booster eligibility

Read more here about second boosters on the government website 

How to Book

Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 to 49 are eligible for a second booster, to provide additional protection from COVID-19. Read more on the Unite against COVID-19 website.

First and second booster vaccines are available through walk-in and booked appointments at Māori and Pacific providers, pharmacies, general practice and other locations across our region.  Appointments can be booked at BookMyVaccine.nz  or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

For maximum immunity, if you’ve had COVID-19, you need to wait 3 months after you tested positive before having a COVID-19 vaccination.

Information for disabled people

Find an accessible clinic near you.

AstraZeneca vaccine - No Longer Available in New Zealand

The AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer available in New Zealand.

Vaccination for people with health conditions

If you have an existing health condition or are immunocompromised there is special advice around vaccination for you.

Vaccine facts

It's important to get accurate information about the vaccine. You can find more videos like this one on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

 

Side effects

Like all medicines, you might experience some mild side effects in the days after getting your vaccination. This is common, and a sign that your body is learning to fight the virus.

Most side effects do not last long, and will not stop you from having a second dose or going about your daily life. Some side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

The most common reported reactions are:

  • pain or swelling at the injection site
  • feeling tired or fatigued
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • chills
  • joint pain
  • fever
  • redness at the injection site
  • nausea.

Some side effects are more common after the second or booster dose. Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are similar in young people to those seen in adults. 

Find out more